iCivics
I Civics: A Very Big Branch
Students learn how the executive departments and agencies regulate and enforce governmental policies, and they explore the roles and responsibilities of the presidential cabinet.
US National Archives
National Archives: Lesson Plans Congress, the President, and the War Powers
Examine the power of Congress to make war by studying primary source documents from various wars throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze how the balance of authority between the legislative branch and executive branch has changed...
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Midterm Elections
Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and executive branches.
iCivics
I Civics: For the President, All in a Day's Work
Students learn the primary responsibilities of the president and how those duties connect to the powers the Constitution grants to the Executive Branch.
iCivics
I Civics: Foreign Policy: War & Peace and Everything in Between
Students learn the distinction between foreign and domestic policy and what role the executive branch plays in foreign policy and the primary tools it uses: foreign aid, the military, and treaties.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Do Executive Orders Work?
The framers of the American Constitution made the executive power available to the executive branch. But what exactly is this tool, how does it work, and what's the extent of its power? Christina Greer explains.
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Executive Orders
Students discover how presidents use executive orders to wield power and how the legislative and judicial branches support and challenge these measures.
iCivics
I Civics: Our Courts: Constitution Day Lesson: Checks and Balances [Pdf]
Students learn the roles and responsibilities of each branch of government and where the checks and balances are located in this role-playing lesson. Requires Adobe Reader.
C-SPAN
C Span Classroom: Teaching About Gridlock
Learning module and lesson plan with C-SPAN video resources and related articles for students to examine and deliberate on whether or not the President should exercise executive powers during times of Congressional gridlock.
iCivics
I Civics: Separation of Powers: What's for Lunch?
Students find out how the three branches of government interact with each other and how decisions about laws are made by several parts of the U.S. government.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (Activity)
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides a lesson plan, focusing on the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, that relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make and approve treaties with foreign...
iCivics
I Civics: Cabinet Building
This lesson plan takes a look at the history of the presidential cabinet, how the cabinet is built through the confirmation process, and why this elite group of people matters to you.
Other
Usa Gov: Three Branches of Government
Lesson plans for students to learn about the three branches of government. They can find information about the origins of the Constitution, separation of powers, and details about each of the three branches.
iCivics
I Civics: Mini Lesson: Vice President
Find out about the importance of the vice presidential candidate in a presidential election, how this person is more than a running mate, the history of the office of the vice presidency, and the modern role of the VP.
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Supreme Court Confirmation Simulation (Lesson Plan)
A lesson that engages learners in a simulation exploring the fundamental roles of the executive branch and the Senate in the judicial selection process. Students will participate in a mock judicial hearing to confirm a Supreme Court...
SMART Technologies
Smart: Branches of the Us Government
This interactive lesson can be used to introduce or to review the three branches of the United States government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
South Carolina Educational Television
Know It All: Government Simulation
Fourth graders will complete a government simulation where they learn about the different responsibilities of each branch of government by becoming the different branches.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: George Washington's Legacy to America
This lesson plan from the Center for Civic Education encourages both teachers and students to learn more about George Washington's contribution to American Constitutionalism and Citizenship.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: How Constitution Used to Organize the New Govt [Pdf]
This lesson describes how, using the guidelines provided in the Constitution, the First Congress in April 1789 named the new president and vice president, provided funding for the new government, organized the executive branch, organized...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Understanding the President's Job
What does the President do? Understanding how our democracy works includes understanding how the Executive branch of our government works. Teachers can use this lesson plan to explore with students the job of the President. Academic...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Learning About Our Government
This lesson is designed to inform students about the organization of our nation's government. Students will be introduced to the three branches of American government and the responsibilities of each. They will discuss the requirements...
Choices Program, Brown University
Choices: Teaching With the News: Surveying State of the Union Addresses
Learning module with multi-media resources helps students understand the constitutional basis and history of the State of the Union Address, identifying important historic themes and significant topics. Includes video, graphic...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) presents the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a Constitutional issue. The lesson plan provided relates to the power granted to the President and the Senate to make treaties with...
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Sioux Treaty of 1868
The National Archives and Records Administration highlights the Sioux Treaty of 1868. The instructional activity provided here relates to the power granted to the president and the Senate in Article II, Section 2, Clause 2, of the U.S....